INTRODUCING
Reimagining the future of communication
UNSPKN is a 2 Month future vision project. from 2023. Designed to be wearable tech, UNSPKN is based on BCI and retinal projection technologies currently being developed. This wearable tech explores both the physical form as a jewelry like accessory as well as a new type of UX interface to explore a new side of communication.
The Problem of Today
Project Brief
Redesign personal computers for a future forecast of 20+ years.
Phones require divided attention from the real world. What if instead of detracting from reality our personal computers could enhance it or transform feelings of isolation into connection? Time to reimagine communication.
Dr. Albert Mehrabian
Leading researcher of communication
“93% of all communication is non verbal. 55% of that is purely visual. With phones, we are missing out on essential context”
Goals:
UNSPKN SHOULD BE
Reinvent communication
Hands Free
Fashion Item
Bench Mark Technologies
Google Glass vs SnapChat Glasses vs NueroLink
Brain Computer Interface
In development
This technology is currently able to read a user’s brain frequencies and pick up letters being spelled out by thought.
Invasive
Non- Invasive
Key Research: https://www.howtogeek.com/788637/retinal-projection-the-future-of-vr/
What is a BCI?
BCIs can connect to a human’s brain either internally (invasive surgical procedure) or externally (worn around the head using data nodes). They read brain activity and process it into digital information, and can also communicate information back to the brain. Think: Real-life telepathy.
Retinal Projection
Screenless Viewing
This technology is currently available and projects light directly onto the retina. It can be used in lieu of a screen.
Key Research : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5924393/#:~:text=A%20Brain%E2%80%93Computer%20Interface%20(BCI,many%20advances%20in%20the%20field.
Ideation
Exploration
Inspired by Berlin based master jewelry designer Luise Zücker our team ideated off of accessory statement pieces. Why have boring technology when it can be fashion too? We used wire frame prototyping to estimate ergonomic comfort, fit, and style.
Final Direction
Boldy metallic but organically sleek we chose a happy medium on style that can appeal to many aesthetics. Wearable personal computers have seen alot of backlash (think, google glass) from the current public.
To mitigate this reaction UNSPKN focuses users on it's aesthetic properties and how different versions will be valued as an accessory as well as a personal computer.
Introducing
AURA
New technologies require new interfaces. AURA is the UX interface for UNSPKN navigation and explores the future of communication.
With retinal projection, the UX of UNSPKN could be fully immersive… but instead, we focus on enhancing the real world with unique communication features instead of detracting from it.
AURA
This is the Icon for AURA, the main communication interface for UNSPKN. It creates a color layer around a user and in response to stimuli in order to convey emotional context corresponding to specific colors as a way to make nonverbal cues visual. It uses a color matrix to define the communications
(See Below) Like all apps this can be turned off or dimmed according to preference.
Speech Bubble
This is the icon for the app Speech Bubble that uses form manipulation for a more detailed communication in addition to aura’s color definitions. The bubble may localize in a real time space or transform its shape to convey a specific person, place, or item. Or it may display memories chosen by user to display.
Data Display
With instant data downloads AURA is able to instantly share memories between devices, teach you how to do … anything, hover information in real time view, or even give context for things like shopping. The possibilities are endless.
Main Features
What does AURA look like?
Left hand displays settings toggle and time info.
Language learning will be 10 times faster with floating cues!
Like to window shop?
Get all the info you need with just a glance...
Right hand displays favorites list when making a heart symbol. Apps that are in use glow. You can toggle appearance here as well or turn off AURA entirely.
What do these colors mean?
Aura uses a color code to break down non verbal emotional communications. These responses aide and in some cases replace verbal communication. Density of color indicates intensity of the response.
Social Response
Analytical Responses
Internal Comfort
Physical Comfort
This person is a more logical left brain personality type so her AURA appears as cool tones.
This person is a more socially empathetic personality so his aura appears as more warm toned.
This person is comfortable and in a neutral passive state. She is analyzing her comfort level based on stimuli localized above her.
This couple exhibits reactive auras that recognize each other and produce a common color from those shared memories.
UNSPKN is primarily a communication device based on the fact that phones ignore interpersonal non-verbal communications. We are freeing our personal computers from the limits of our thumbs and expanding navigation to a purely visual AR navigation. High speed data that is available 24/7 and looks good while in use